Picture this: the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off their World Series triumph and packed with superstar talent, squaring off against the Milwaukee Brewers, who utterly dismantled them in a shocking nine-game stretch back in July. It's the kind of matchup that has baseball fans buzzing with anticipation – but here's where it gets controversial: can an underdog squad like the Brewers really dethrone the champions, or is this just a fleeting underperformance? Stick around, because the details ahead might just change your mind about who'll come out on top.
Dive into our comprehensive FAQ for NLCS Game 1, brought to you by loanDepot, airing live on Monday at 8 p.m. ET (that's 7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT) via TBS, truTV, and HBO Max. For the full playoff schedule, check out MLB.com.
And if you're itching to catch the action in person, snag your Brewers postseason tickets right here.
The Brewers are gunning for their second-ever World Series appearance and their first since that heartbreaking seven-game loss to the Cardinals in 1982. As Brewers skipper Pat Murphy reflected during Milwaukee's ecstatic Saturday celebration, 'I’m really just happy for the guys. They’re just a great group.' He added that skeptics wrote them off early, but their unwavering determination turned them into 'above-average Joes.'
Not a Dodgers fan? No worries – grab your LA postseason tickets here to root for the champs.
They stuck it out, never giving up, and now they're poised to make history.
Let's break down everything essential for Game 1, including where and how to tune in, who'll be toeing the rubber, potential batting orders, bullpen strategies, key injuries, who's on fire or struggling, and some intriguing historical tidbits.
When and where is the game, and how can I watch it?
Game 1 kicks off at American Family Field in Milwaukee, with the first pitch slated for 7:08 p.m. CT (which is 8:08 p.m. ET and 5:08 p.m. PT). You'll catch all the live action on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max.
For those in the US, every series is streamable via MLB.TV (just authenticate with a participating pay TV provider). Internationally, games are available live too, but not in Canada – there, Sportsnet has exclusive English-language rights for all postseason contests. TVA Sports covers the entire AL postseason and World Series in French, while RDS handles the NL postseason in French.
Who are the starting pitchers?
On the Dodgers' side, Blake Snell – despite missing four months of his rookie season with the team due to shoulder inflammation – has been a force when fit. The two-time Cy Young winner boasts a stellar 6-3 record and 2.92 ERA in postseason play, delivering clutch performances.
For the Brewers, even with their first-round bye, they pieced together bullpen outings in their best-of-five NLDS clash with the Cubs, making a full seven-game series a tough test. Thankfully, their ace duo is primed for regular rest: Quinn Priester could start Game 1, with Freddy Peralta confirmed for Game 2. Jose Quintana, fresh off a calf injury recovery where he pitched in NLDS Game 3, is likely to anchor a start. Beyond that, creativity will be key to filling out the rotation.
What might the starting lineups look like?
The Dodgers' top four hitters usually stay consistent, no matter the opposing hurler. Will Smith is back at catcher. Against a right-handed starter, expect Max Muncy at third, shifting Kiké Hernández to left field.
Here's their projected lineup:
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Mookie Betts, SS
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Teoscar Hernández, RF
5. Will Smith, C
6. Max Muncy, 3B
7. Kiké Hernández, LF
8. Andy Pages, CF
9. Tommy Edman, 2B
The Brewers, facing Snell (a lefty) as the Dodgers' Game 1 starter, will have dealt with five southpaws in their first six postseason outings. For reference, here's the lineup they rolled out against lefty Drew Pomeranz in NLDS Game 5:
- Jackson Chourio, LF
- Brice Turang, 2B
- William Contreras, C
- Christian Yelich, DH
- Andrew Vaughn, 1B
- Sal Frelick, RF
- Caleb Durbin, 3B
- Blake Perkins, CF
- Joey Ortiz, SS
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
The Dodgers' relief crew should be fully rested for Game 1. Rookie sensation Roki Sasaki has become their go-to closer, capable of multiple innings, though he hasn't pitched consecutive days yet. Standouts like Emmet Sheehan and Alex Vesia are trusted in high-pressure spots. Blake Treinen, a postseason hero last year, has been inconsistent this season and might not see leverage roles initially.
The Brewers' closer, Abner Uribe, notched his first multi-inning save in NLDS Game 5 with just 22 pitches, so he's raring to go alongside their other key arms. Trevor Megill, their midseason All-Star stopper sidelined by a flexor issue, dazzled as an opener in Game 5 and can flex into any role. Lefties Jared Koenig and Aaron Ashby are crucial against Dodgers lefties like Ohtani and Freeman, while rookies Jacob Misiorowski and Chad Patrick impressed in the NLDS. Additional depth includes lefty Robert Gasser (shaken up by the Cubs) and righty Tobias Myers (who missed the NLDS). Navigating a full seven games will demand serious ingenuity – and this is the part most people miss: how bullpen fatigue could flip the script on a powerhouse like the Dodgers.
Any injuries of note?
For the Dodgers, Will Smith is battling a hairline fracture in his right hand but returned for NLDS starts and should keep catching. Tommy Edman must monitor his right ankle, which sidelined him twice this year. Tanner Scott, ineffective in high-leverage regular-season spots, is sidelined for the NLCS due to injury but could rejoin if LA advances.
On the Brewers' end, ace Brandon Woodruff is sidelined with a lat strain, missing the NLDS and not pitching yet – though he's rehabbing for a potential World Series comeback. Left fielder Jackson Chourio dealt with a hamstring strain, missing a month and reaggravating it in NLDS Game 1, but he started all five games and handled his defensive duties well, even if he's not fully spry on the bases.
Who is hot and who is not?
Dodgers' 'October Kiké' (that's Kiké Hernández) is heating up, hitting 7-for-22 (.318) with four RBIs and five runs scored. Mookie Betts keeps his regular-season form rolling, at 10-for-26 (.385).
Shohei Ohtani struggled in the NLDS, going 1-for-18 (.056) with nine strikeouts, and Andy Pages is just 1-for-24 (.042), though his Game 5 fielder's choice led to a walk-off win.
For the Brewers, second baseman Brice Turang, their top hitter most of the year, finally ignited with a big homer in NLDS Game 5 after a slow 2-for-20 start. Catcher William Contreras crushed it at .300/.333/.650, blasting two game-tying dingers.
Anything else fans might want to know?
The last postseason clash between these rivals was the shortened 2020 season, where the Dodgers swept the Brewers in the NL Wild Card. It's also a rematch of the 2018 NLCS, won by LA in seven games.
The Dodgers aim to be the first team since the Yankees (1998-2000) to win consecutive World Series titles.
This marks the seventh postseason series where one team swept the regular-season matchup; the last was 2015, when the Cubs (7-0 vs. Mets) fell to New York in the NLCS.
But here's where controversy really heats up: some fans argue that the Brewers' July dominance over the Dodgers was a fluke, a product of LA's midseason slumps, while others say it exposed vulnerabilities in a 'perfect' team. Is Milwaukee's underdog spirit enough to overcome LA's star power, or will the champs prove their resilience? And this is the part most people miss – how injuries and bullpen depth might turn a seven-game series into an unpredictable thriller. What do you think: Can the Brewers pull off another upset, or is Dodger dominance inevitable? Share your hot takes in the comments – agree, disagree, or throw in your own wild prediction!
